James the Berk?

[demetra1225]

No: HPFGUIDX 106405

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" 
<dumbledore11214 at y...> wrote:
> So, Ron can laugh at Muggles, but it is quite clear what he thinks 
> about THAT word and what is behind this word. By the way, I don't 
> think he hates Muggles, he just finds them strange, because he does 
> not know much about them.
> 
> I think the prejudice IS against the blood. [snip]

Demetra:
I know you were responding to Carol, but I hope you don't mind my 
jumping in as well.  I agree with Alla.  I believe that Mudblood is 
the equivalent of a racial/ethnic slur.  The word is demeaning and 
implies that the person is inferior in some way.  


Alla: 
 If we knew that Severus only said this word once in his life under 
> the stress, I would not condemn him, but we KNOW that he acted on 
it 
> by joining Voldemort, so yes, I 'd say that his actions are 
> reprehensible.
> 
> I am not saying that he could not change, I would be delighted to 
> learn that he does not hold such views anymore, but for now I find 
> what he did to be inexcusable. [snip]


Demetra:  
We don't know that Snape only uttered that word once, neither do we 
know that he uttered many times.  I assume he grew up in a family 
that was heavy into the Dark Arts (where else would he have learned 
all the curses he knew before he came to Hogwarts).  His family were 
probably amongst those who despise Mudbloods.  He could very well 
have grown up in a household where that word was brandished about 
freely.  I can see Snape in his utter humiliation tossing out that 
word (perhaps one of those impulsive moments where opening of mouth 
precedes engagement of brain).  Nasty for sure, but that doesn't 
necessarily mean he buys into the belief.  

Neither do I think that the fact that he joined the DE's absolutely 
means that he wanted to act on his hatred of all things Muggle.  I 
think he was certainly raised believing in pure blood superiority, 
but it may have been something else that drew him to the DE's.  Maybe 
it was the influence of the group of friends who had accepted him 
(Lucius, Bellatrix, et al).  The influence of peer pressure at that 
age is pretty strong.  Or maybe Voldemort wanted Snape because of his 
potions abilities and lured him to the fold.  Voldemort can certainly 
be very tricky, and I think Snape would have lapped up any praise or 
respect for his abilities, at least at first.  

That brings us back to why Snape left LV.  Disillusionment after 
seeing what the DE's were really about?  Distaste when seeing the 
sadistic torture up close and personal?  Something more personal?  

Demetra